AB1577 EL ÍNDICE DE RESISTENCIA TIENE UNA RELACIÓN ESTRECHA CON LA DESTRUCCIÓN INTRAARTICULAR DE HUESO Y CARTÍLAGO POR DOPPLER ESPECTRAL EN LA ARTRITIS REUMATOIDE
Authors: O. Sedano, J. Sedano
Journal: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases (2023)

<h3>Background</h3> Recent reports have shown that high-resolution ultrasound is a useful method of detecting pannus vascularization in inflamed finger joints of patients with RA and also is useful in assessing the disease activity or in monitoring therapeutic responses. Power Doppler ultrasonography (PDUS) techniques not only have the ability to detect vascularization but do also depict the flow patterns in the inflamed joints of RA patients by using spectral analysis. <h3>Objectives</h3> To evaluate intra-articular vascularization and flow patterns of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients by using power Doppler spectral (PDSUS) technique. The relationship between the flow patterns and bone and cartilage destruction. <h3>Methods</h3> Thirty-two patients (mean age 53.5 ± 13.8) with a disease duration of 7.8 ± 3.9 years were included into the study. Twenty MCP joints of five healthy subjects were also assessed as controls. Clinical activity of MCP joint inflammation was classified according to index for synovitis activity PD based on joint swelling, warmness and pain. Ultrasonography was performed using Vinno G86 unit by means of a 6–18 MHz linear array transducer. Gray-scale US and power Doppler sonography (PDUS) examination was performed. Using spectral Doppler the quality of flow was determined and the indices of pulsatility (PI) and resistance (RI) were measured in longitudinal plane. The erosive scores of the MCP joints were determined on the plain hand radiographs using Sharp/van der Heijde method. <h3>Results</h3> Total 128 MCP joints of 32 patients and 20 MCP joints of five healthy controls were examined in dominant hand. Flow was determined in 30 joints (10 moderately active, 20 active) in eight patients with erosions, whereas twenty-four patients had no erosions in MCP joints. MCP joints of healthy controls had quantifiable flow. Mean PI of these joints were in control (2.34 ± 0.87), in moderately active (1.01 ± 1.1) and 0.32 ± 0.6 in active MCP joints. RI was in control 0.87 ± 0.12 in moderately active 0.61 ± 0.15 (figure 1) and 0.24 ± 0.12 in active MCP joints. There was significant difference in RI and PI of these active and moderately active MCP joints (p &lt;0.01). There was a significant correlation between erosive scores and PI, RI of total MCP joints (r = 0.40 and r = 0.41, P &lt; 0.05). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Spectral Power Doppler ultrasonography (PDSUS) is a useful method demonstrating synovial vascularization and flow patterns and offers new alternatives for monitoring disease activity and measurement of therapeutic response. Flow patterns had intimate correlation with intra-articular bone and cartilage destruction. <h3>References</h3> [1]Terslev L, S Torp-Pedersen, E Qvistgaard, B Danneskiold-Samsoe, H Bliddal. Estimation of inflammation by Doppler ultrasound: quantitative changes after intra-articular treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2003; 62:1049–1053 [2]Salih Ozgocmen, Adem Kiris, Ercan Kocakoc, Ozge Ardicoglu, Ayhan Kamanli, Evaluation of metacarpophalangeal joint synovitis in rheumatoid arthritis by power Doppler technique: relationship between synovial vascularization and periarticular bone mineral density, Joint Bone Spine, Volume 71, Issue 5, 2004: 384-388, <h3>Acknowledgements:</h3> NIL. <h3>Disclosure of Interests</h3> None Declared.